Electron tube assembly apparatus

ABSTRACT

955,152. Assembling electron tubes. RADIO CORPORATION OF AMERICA. Oct. 5, 1960 [Nov. 4, 1959], No. 34212/60. Heading H1J. [Also in Division B8] Apparatus for handling electron tube parts which include a flange with a central opening and a tubular element which can be received therein, during assembly of the tube, comprises a rod having a tapered tip, a cylindrical portion to fit into the tubular element and means for retaining the flange and the tubular element on the rod during manipulation. The electron tube comprises an envelope 12, Fig. 1, sealed to the metal coated periphery of a ceramic disc 14, having a plurality of openings with metal coated walls in which are sealed lead-in wires 20-28 and support wires 30, 32. The electrode elements comprise a cathode support sleeve 38 on which is telescoped a tubular member 56 having an emitting coating, a tubular grid 40 and a tubular anode 42. A heater 58 for heating the cathode is fitted in the sleeve 38. The electrode elements are each provided with a flange 44, 46, 48 engaging the lead-in and support wires, at least three wires being provided for each flange. A machine for assembling the components comprises three side-by-side discs 116, 118, 120, Fig. 3, each having a ring of wells 122 to receive the components and carried by a common support 140 which can be reciprocated to bring the sets of wells beneath three pick-up rods 62, 64, 66, and a bar 164 carrying three jigs into which the components are deposited from the rods. The dials are each advanced one step during each reciprocation of the support 140 by means of one-way clutches, to bring a fresh well beneath each pick-up rod. The jigs are moved forward on the bar 164 between successive loadings by a manually operated bar 170 having spaced V-blocks 178 with lateral extensions 184 for engaging the jigs so that each jig is brought successively into position to receive a component from each of the pick-up rods, a new jig being added to the bar 164 at each loading and a fully loaded jig removed. The wells on the three dials and the pick-up rods associated with each dial are of decreasing sizes for holding and picking up the different sized components. The pick-up rods comprise a stem 72, Fig. 7, having a straight sided portion 102 of less diameter and a still smaller tip 100, and are fitted with stripping collars 78 pressed downwards by light springs 110 and held in lowered position by magnets 86 on the machine and magnets 84 on the stripper assembly. The strippers are actuated by a manually operated sleeve 88 biased in an upward direction by a spring 96. The jigs consist of a cylindrical outer wall 196 closed at the bottom from which two concentric thin cylinders 202, 204 project upwards to receive the smaller components. The portions 102 may have surface recesses connected to a suction line or holes through which wires may be extended to hold the components during transfer.

Oct. 6, 1964 R. H. HEDEL 3,151,381

ELECTRON TUBE ASSEMBLY APPARATUS Filed Nov. 4. 1959 7 Sheets-Sheet 1 I-N-VENTOR. R DULPH H. HEDEL VMQJ -4 from/gr Oct. 6, 1964 R. H. HEDEL ELECTRON TUBEASSEMBLYAPPARATUS 7 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed NOV. 4, 1959 INVENTOR. RUDOLPH H. HEDEL VMM Q Arron/Er Oct. 6, 1964 R. H. HEDEL ELECTRON TUBE ASSEMBLY APPARATUS '7 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Nov. 4, 1959 INVENTOR. RUDOLPH H.HEDEL BY- MM 5 ATTORNEY Oct. 6, 1964 Filed Nov. 4, 1959 R. H. HEDEL ELECTRON TUBE ASSEMBLY APPARATUS 7 Sheets-Sheet 4 mvmon. RUDOLPH I-I. HEDEL WIZM Oct. 6, 1964 R. H. HEDEL smcmou TUBE ASSEMBLY APPARATUS '7 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed NOV. 4, 1959 RUDEILPl-I H. HE DEL Oct. 6, 1964 R. H. HEDEL 3,151,381

ELECTRON TUBE ASSEMBLY APPARATUS Filed Nov. 4, 1959 7 Sheets-Sheet 7 INVENTOR. RUDOLPH H. I-IEDEL United States Patent 3,151,381 ELEiITRON TUBE ASSEMBLY APPARATUS Rudolph H. Hedel, Matawan, N.J., assignor to Radio Corporation of America, a corporation of Delaware Filed Nov. 4, 1959, Ser. No. 850,956 12 Claims. (Cl. 2-2S.l9)

The present invention relates to apparatus for handling component parts of electron tubes, and more particularly to apparatus for assembling electron tube parts in precise relationship with each other.

The invention is especially suitable for use in machines which handle electrodes, such as grids, cathodes and anodes, and for mounting them for precise relationship to each other to form a sub-assembly for an electron tube.

Electron tubes of progressively smaller size are being developed. These tubes use component parts which are of very small dimensions. It is exceedingly difiicult to handle such tube parts manually. Moreover, assembly of such tube parts to form a complete electron tube re quires skilled craftsmanship. Manipulation of the parts in the course of assembly is made more difiicult by their fragile nature. They may be easily deformed if not properly handled.

Manual operations required for tube assembly increases tube costs. For example, errors on the part of human operators are unavoidable and result in high shrinkage rates. Thus, it is desirable to provide machinery, which is as automatic as possible, for handling and assembling the component parts of the electron tube.

The design of suitable machines presents difficult problems in view of the small size of the component parts and their fragile nature. This is particularly the case since the parts must be accurately mounted in precise relationship to each other in order that the electron tubes will have specified characteristics.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide improved apparatus for handling electron tube parts.

It is another object of the present invention to provide apparatus for assembling electrical tube parts more rapidly and accurately than solely by manual means.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide improved apparatus for handling electron tube parts of small size and for assembling such parts in precise relation to each other.

It is still a further object of the present invention to provide improved apparatus for handling fragile electron tube parts without damage or deformation thereof.

It is a still further object of the present invention to provide electron tube assembly apparatus which is easily operated.

It is a still further object of the present invention to provide improved electron tube assembly apparatus which lends itself to automatic operation.

Briefly described, apparatus provided by the invention for achieving the foregoing and other objects thereof is adapted to feed electron tube parts to a parts transfer station and to transfer these parts into a jig or other assembling fixture. A parts carrier, such as a dial, that is a turntable with recesses or pockets for holding parts feeds the parts individually to the transfer station.

A transfer device is disposed at the transfer station. The transfer device comprises a rod-like member having a tip smaller than the part. This member will be referred to hereinafter as a quill. The tip extends to a parts holding portion which may taper away from the tip. Means are provided for inserting the tip and holding portion of the quill or needle Within the tube part. The tip thus serves to accurately locate the quill with respect to the tube part so that the part can be accurately engaged thereon. The quill or needle and jig are moved with respect to each other so that the quill is disposed in cooperative relation with the jig. Means are provided for inserting the tip into the jig to accurately locate the tube part held on the quill with respect to the jig. The transfer device also includes means for depositing the tube part in the jig as the quill is removed therefrom. Other tube parts may be deposited in the jig until the required assembly of parts is obtained. The jig may then be fed to other apparatus for completing the electron tube, as for example, by assembling a stem structure and an envelope thereon.

It is another feature of the invention to provide improvements in means for feeding tube parts to the transfer station so that the tube parts will be precisely located with respect to the transfer device.

In accordance with still other features of the invention, means are provided for automatically feeding one or more jigs with respect to a plurality of transfer devices so that a plurality of assembly operations can be performed sequentially or simultaneously.

The invention itself, both as to its organization and method of operation, as well as the foregoing and other objects and advantages thereof, will become more readily apparent from a reading of the following description in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a sectional view of an electron tube, parts of which may be assembled by apparatus provided in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a front elevation partially in section showing a machine provided in accordance with the invention for assembling parts of the electron tube shown in FIG. 1 into jigs and having a novel transfer device which handles the parts;

FIG. 3 is a plan view with machine shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a side view partially in section taken along the line 44 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a vertical section of the transfer device shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary view, in section, of the trans fer device showing the quill in a position for engaging a tube part;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary view, in section, of the transfer device in position for depositing a tube part into a 1 5;

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary plan view in section taken along the line 8-8 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 9 is an elevation partly in section of a quill provided in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 10 is an elevation partly in section of a quill provided in accordance with still another embodiment of the present invention.

An electron tube having parts which may be assembled with the electron tube assembly apparatus provided by the invention is depicted in FIG. 1. The parts are shown enlarged in the drawing. In practice, the parts may be one-tenth the size shown in the drawing.

The electron tube comprises a shell or envelope 12. A wafer or disc 14 made of a ceramic has a metallic coating on its periphery which is sealed vacuum tight to the shell. The disc 14 also is provided with a plurality of openings extending therethrough. The walls defining the opening are provided with a metallic coating. A plurality of lead-in wires 20, 22, 24, 26, 28 and support wires 30 and 32 enter into the shell through the openings in the wafer 14 and are sealed vacuum tight in these openings. Electrode elements of the tube comprise a tubular cathode support sleeve 38, which may be made of a metal parts broken away of the such as is commercially known as Nichrome, a tubular grid 41 and a tubular anode 42. A tubular cup or member 56 having an emitting coating which provides the cathode is telescoped around the cathode support sleeve 38. A heater 58 is positioned in the cathode support sleeve 38 for heating the cathode to desired emitting temperature. The anode may be made of a metal, such as nickel. The electrode elements are fixed to collars or flanges 44, 46 and 48, made of steel, for example. The flanges 44, 46 and 48 have inwardly turned stops t), 52 and 54, respectively. The electrodes 58, 4b and 42 fit snugly into their respective flanges 44, 46 and 48 and abut against the inwardly turned stops 5!), 52 and 54 thereof. The flanges 44, 46 and 4S engage the lead-in wires 22, 24 and 20 and the support wires 30 and 32. At least three Wires are adapted to engage each of the flanges. Some of these wires are not shown in the sectional view depicted in the drawing. As described above, there are provided a plurality of tripod supporting systems for each of the electrode elements.

In manufacturing an electron tube of the type shown in FIG. 1 of the drawings, the elements 38, 40 and 42 and their associated flanges 44, 46 and 48 are assembled in an inverted position in a jig. The jig also has means for receiving the Wafer 14. The lead-in and support wires are threaded through the appropriate openings in the wafer into engagement with the flanges. The heater 58 and its lead-in wires 26 and 28 may also be inserted in their appropriate places in the jig. The jig may be made of a metal or suitable ceramic material adapted to withstand elevated temperatures. This permits the jig with the parts loaded therein to be placed in an oven for brazing the respective parts to each other. The use of a jig thereby serves to provide a unitary structure comprising essentially a completed tube. Only nominal stresses are applied to the tube parts while they are assembled within the jig and, accordingly, only nominal stresses are set up in the resultant tube structure since the parts are brazed together while in their substantially strain-free relationship. A rugged and substantially strain-free electron tube therefore results.

The present invention provides apparatus for assembling the electrode parts and their flanges into the jig in order to accomplish a partial or sub-assembly of the electron tube conveniently and rapidly.

An illustrative machine incorporating the features of the present invention is shown in FIGS. 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 of the drawing- The machine includes a framework 60 which may rest on a bench or table. Three transfer devices 62, 64 and 66 are supported between horizontal struts 68 and 719 of the framework 61). The transfer devices 62, 64 and 66 are similar to each other. Each of the devices is mounted in bushings located in the struts 68 and 76. For the sake of simplicity of description of the machine illustrated in the drawings, the transfer devices will be referred to as quill assemblies.

Each of the quill assemblies (see FIG. 5) includes a quill or pin '72 heldin a hollow, cylindrical holder 74. A parts stripping assembly 76 is slidably mounted on the holder 74. This stripping assembly includes a collar or stripper 78 and an actuator bar 811 connected together in spaced relation by rods 82. The actuator bar 81 carries a pair of magnets 84 which cooperate with other magnets 86 disposed in the strut 68 in a manner to be explained hereinafter.

A knurled sleeve 88 is also slidably mounted on the holder 74. The knurled sleeve 88 serves to reciprocate the holder 74 and the quill stripping assembly 76 during parts transfer operations. A disc 90 is mounted at the upper end of the holder 74. This disc constitutes a stop which limits the downward travel of the holder 74 and quill 72. A pin 92 projecting from the disc 96 rides in a slot 94 in upper strut 70 and limits the sidewise movement of the quill. A spring 96 is connected between the upper strut '70 and the sleeve 88 soar. to normally bias the quill in an upward direction.

The quill '72 is held in the holder '74 by means of a set screw 98. The quill projects downwardly beyond the end of the holder 74 and collar 78 of the parts stripping assembly. The quill 72 has a tip 1% for guiding and locating the quill with respect to the jig or the part to be transferred. The tip 100 extends from a portion 102 of uniform diameter which serves to engage the tubular elec trode parts. The portion Hi2 adjoins a tapered portion 1134 which holds the flange and the tubular electrode part when the quill is engaged therewith.

The cylindrical holder 74 is slidable in a sleeve bushing 166 which extends through and downwardly beyond the strut 58. The bushing 106 shields the end portions 100, 182, 104 of the quill and guides the holder '74. The walls of the bushing 166 may be cut away as shown in FIG. 2 so that the quill 72 may be observed. The holder 74 is also supported in a bushing 10% mounted in a member 107 which, in turn, is mounted on the upper strut 70.

A spring 111 is positioned around the holder 74 between the bottom of the bar 30 and a shoulder of the holder 74. This spring 116 normally biases the stripper actuator against the knurled sleeve 88 and the stripper collar 7 8 against the bottom of the holder 74. The rods 82 pass through slots in the holder 74. Three rods are provided only one of which is shown in FIG. 5.

The knurled sleeve 88 is coupled to the holder 74 by a pin 112 which extends through a slot 114 in the holder. The spring 96 biases the sleeve 88 upwardly so that the top of the sleeve 88 abuts against the bottom of the strut '70. The holder 74 is also biased upwardly by the spring 96 to a position determined by the length of the sleeve 88 and the height of the strut 7t) and is normally disposed for cooperation with either the jig or the tube parts, as will be explained hereinafter.

The tube parts are carried on difierent ones of three parts carriers illustrated in the drawings as rotatable dials 116, 118 and 1241', which are disposed to cooperate with the different quill assemblies 62, 64 and 66. The dials are shown best in FIGS. 2, 3, and 4 of the drawings. Each of the dials has a plurality of wells 122 therein for receiving the parts.

The dials 116, 118, 120, are rotatably mounted on a sliding supporting frame under the quill assemblies so that the dials can be moved from beneath the quills 72 to permit the quills to be used to put parts in jigs as will be described.

The dials 116, 118 and are mounted on vertical shafts 136. The shafts 136 are journaled in brackets 138. The brackets 138 are secured to a dial support or frame 140 common to all of the dials. The support 140 extends across the length of the machine. This dial support 140 is mounted for sliding movement on rods 142 disposed between front and rear legs 144 and 145, respectively, of the framework 60.

An air cylinder 148 (seen more readily in FIG. 4) is provided to move the support 140 between the position indicated in the drawing and a position towards the back of the machine which is indicated in phantom by the dashed lines. The dials 116, 118 and 129 therefore are movable toward and away from a parts transfer station immediately below the quills.

The dials are rotated simultaneously when the support 140 is reciprocated between the positions toward the front and the back of the machine. The shafts 136 of each of the dials are coupled to different one-way clutches 150 disposed within the brackets 138 (FIGS. 2, 4 and 8). These clutches 150 are rotated by means of linkages 152. Each linkage 152 includes a link arm 154 coupled to a shaft 156 for rotating the clutch. Another link arm 153 is pivotally connected to the link arm 154. The lastmentioned link 153 passes through an opening in a horizontal strut 158 of the frame work 60. Stops 160 and 162 are disposed at spaced positions along the link arm 153 on opposite sides of the strut 158.

When the support 140 moves toward the back of the machine, the stop 162 limits the travel of the arm 153. The shaft 156 then turns in a counter-clockwise sense, as viewed in FIG. 8. Upon return movement of the support 141), the stop 161) contacts the strut 15S and causes the shaft 156 to turn in a clockwise sense. The one-way clutch 150 transmits only clockwise rotation. Accordingly, the shaft 136 coupling the dial to the clutch 150 turns clockwise with the shaft 156. It follows that the dials will each rotate a predetermined number of degrees established by the length of the arms 154, 156 of the linkage and the linkage travel distance. These linkage lengths and travel distances are adjusted so that different ones of the wells will be brought successively to the transfer station under the quill when the support 140 is reciprocated. Since the linkages 156 move simultaneously, all of the dials will be rotated simultaneously. Successive wells 122 in the three different dials 116, 118 and 120 will be brought successively to transfer stations under their respective quill assemblies 62, 64 and 66.

A bar 164 extends across the strut 153 and supports several jigs 166 on its upper surface. Each of the jigs is adapted to be held against an L-shaped guide bar 168 which is secured to the jig support bar 164.

A jig indexing mechanism is provided for indexing the jig at loading stations on the support bar 164 immediately below the different quill assemblies 62, 64 and 66, and for translating the jigs among successive loading stations. This mechanism includes a beam 170 which is slidably mounted intermediate its ends on a rod 138. The rod 188 extends between upstanding ends of a U- shaped bracket 172. The U-shaped bracket 172 is formed integrally with the brackets 138 so that it moves therewith. V blocks 178 are fastened to the beam 170 at positions thereon spaced from each other correspondingly to the spacing of the quill assemblies 62, 64 and 66.

A locking pin 180 is mounted in an opening in the beam 170 and is biased toward the jig support bar 164 by a flat spring 182. This pin 18% cooperates with an indexing hole (not shown) in the bar 164 so as to index the V blocks 178 with respect to the quills 62, 64 and 66. It will be noted that each of the V blocks includes an extension 184 on the left thereof, as viewed in FIG. 3, for the purpose of engaging and sweeping the jigs across the jig support bar 164 from left to right, as viewed in FIGS. 2 and 3 of the drawings. An operating linkage 186 including a knob 187 serves to release the locking pin 186 when the knob 187 is depressed.

The beam 170 is shiftable from left to right and from right to left by manual sidewise movement of the knob 187 on the lever 186. Since the U-shaped bracket 172 is a part of an assembly including the support 149 and the dials 116, 118 and 120, the beam 170 and the V blocks 178 carried thereon will be reciprocable from the back to the front of the machine with the support 140. The beam 170, the support 140, the dials 116, 118 and 120 and the other elements assembled thereon are shown in FIGS. 2, 3, 4 and 8 of the drawings in the forward position; that is to say, where the wells 122 of the dials are disposed at a transfer station under the quills FIG. 4 of the drawings shows in phantom the position of the support 140, the dial 116, the V blocks 178, and the beam 170 when these elements are disposed in the position towards the back of the machine. The beam 176 and the V blocks 17% thereon are shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 of the drawing shifted to the right. The beam and V blocks are also shown in phantom in their position shifted to the left. When the elements of the machine are disposed as shown in F168. 2, 3, 4 and 8, the quills may be operated to transfer parts from the dials to the jigs.

In the machine shown in the drawings, each of the dials 116, 118 and 126 and the quill assemblies 62, 64 and 66 associated, respectively, therewith are used to assemble different ones of the electrode elements and flanges in the jigs at assembly stations in the path of the quills, there being a one to one correspondence of assembly stations to dials. For example, the anode electrodes 42 and their associated flanges 46 are carried in the larger wells in one of the dials 116. The grid electrode 40 and its associated flange 46 are carried in the wells 122 of the centrally located dial 118. The cathode support sleeve 38 and its associated flange 44 are carried in the smaller one of the dials 120. The electrodes and their associated flanges may be inserted manually into the wells 122.

By way of example, one of the wells 122 in the dial 118 is illustrated in FIG. 6 of the drawings. It will be observed that this well 122 comprises a hole extending axially through the dial 118. Another larger diameter hole is drilled concentrically with the first-mentioned hole but only partially through the dial to provide a step 194. A still larger diameter hole is then drilled coaxially with the first two mentioned holes partially through the dial, but is of a shallower depth, and provides a step 192. The entrance of the largest diameter hole is rounded at the upper surface of the dial to define a convex inner periphery at the top of the well, and to provide a similar convex periphery at the step 192 to facilitate leading of parts. The wells may be provided by inserts which fit into openings in the dial, rather than in the dial itself.

The dimensions of the Wells, the quills, and the electrodes are interrelated. The diameter of the hole extending through the dial is slightly larger than the diameter of the intermediate portion 162 of the quill 72. That hole which, at its bottom, defines the step 194 is somewhat larger than the diameter of the electrode, which in the exemplary case illustrated in FIG. 6, is the grid electrode 40. The hole which extends to the surface of the dial is slightly larger in diameter than the diameter of the flange 46 associated with the grid electrode 40. The wells 122 in the larger dial 116 have holes of different diameters than the wells in the dial 118, since the dial 116 is adapted to carry the anode and its associated flange, while the dial 118 is adapted to carry the grid and its associated flange. Similarly, the dial 120, which is adapted to carry the cathode sleeve and its associated flange, will have openings still smaller than the openings in the dial 118. Accordingly, the quills 72 which are adapted to cooperate with the dials 116, 116 and 120, respectively, will also be of progressively smaller diameter. The portions of the quill 72 extendint away from the tapered portion 104 may be of like diameter so that the holder '74 and other elements of the quills 62, 64, 66 may be the same.

In loading the dials 116, 118 and 126, the tubular electrode part, such as the grid 46, is first inserted into the wells, as, for example, manually with tweezers. The body of the tubular electrode will then come to rest at the step 194. The flanges are then inserted so that the stops or shoulders 52 thereon come to rest at the exposed ends of the tubular electrode 41). In order to transfer the parts from the wells, the operator of the machine grasps the knurled sleeve 83 and moves it downwardly toward the dial. As will be apparent from FIG. 5 of the drawing, the sleeve 88 is free to slide downwardly along the holder 74 and pushes the bar Si) against the spring 116. Downward forces are exerted on the holder 74 and quill 72 through the spring 110, rather than directly, since the pin 112 in the sleeve 88 rides in the slot 114 and does not bear directly against the holder.

The tip 166 of the quill 72 first enters the well (see FIG. 6) on the dial and proceeds through the tubular grid 40 until the grid 46 engages the intermediate straight portion 102 of the quill 72.

As the quill 72 de cends further into the well, the tapered portion 104 engages the coextensive parts of the grid 49 and the flange 46 at the inwarldy turned stop 52. The flange 46 and the grid are held by friction on the tapered portion 104. As illustrated in FIG. 6, the tubular grid 40 fits snugly on the intermediate portion 102 of the quill 72. Thus, even if only the intermediate portion of the quill is inserted into the well so as to slide into the tubular grid electrode 40, the grid 40 nevertheless will be held on the intermediate portion N2 of the quill 72. The flange 46 will also be picked up by the quill 72 since the flange 46 cannot slide downwardly over the grid 48 due to the inwardly turned stop 52.

The quill assembly is constructed so that the fragile, precision-made electrode parts, such as the grid as and the flange 46, cannot be damaged when these parts are picked up. The taper on the tapered portion 164 of the quill is relatively shallow so as to have a minimum taper with respect to the inside diameter of the flange 46 which will hold the flange. A. taper approximately three degrees (3) overall is suitable. Forces are exerted on the parts 40 and 46 through the spring 110 when the quill is in its down position in a well. This spring 11d may be a comparatively soft spring. The maximum pressure which can be brought to bear against the flange 46 and electrode 40 is directly governed by the spring strength. Because the pressure is only slight, there is no deformation of these parts.

The stripper collar '78 precedes the holder 74 as the quill is moved downwardly into the well 122. The diameter of the bottom of the stripper collar 78 is larger than the diameter of the Well. The bottom of the stripper collar 78 strikes the dial and permits only the desired length of the rod to enter the well.

If the tip 100 of the rod 72 strikes any foreign object which might have fallen into the well such as to block the opening therein, or if the electron tube parts are improperly inserted in the well, the quill 72 and holder 74 will stop. The sleeve 83 pushes against the bar 80 and compresses the spring 11%. The stripper collar 78 strikes the face of the dial before the spring 11% is fully compressed. Thus, any damage which might result to the parts, if the quill 72 could be forced into the well, is prevented. The quill is therefore essentially foolproof in its operation in engaging and picking up the parts disposed in the wells without damage to the parts.

It is apparent from the foregoing that any tubular or annular parts, whether in a well or on a surface, may be engaged with the quill structure provided by the invention.

In operation, when the dials are disposed toward the front of the machine under the quill assemblies as shown in FIGS. 2, 3 and 4 of the drawings, the quill 72 of the quill assembly 62 is inserted into one of the wells in its associated dial 116 to engage an anode part 142 and its associated flange 43. Quill 72 of assembly 64 is inserted into a Well in the dial 118 and engages a grid part 4'9 and its associated flange 46. Quill 72 of assembly 65 at the right side of the machine is similarly operated to engage a cathode part 33 and its associated flange 44. After the quills are inserted into their associated dials 116, 113 and 120, respectively, they are moved upwardly. The parts are then removed from the dials and held on the ends of the quills 72 in each of the quill assemblies.

After the anode, grid and cathode support sleeve and flange parts are removed from the dials, they are transferred to the jigs. The operator first moves the beam 170 side-wise to the left by engaging the knob 187 on the lever 186 and shifting the lever 136 toward the left. When the beam is in the position shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 in the drawing in phantom by the dashed lines, the bumper 192 (FIG. 4) actuates the switch 19%} on the left side of the machine. The switch 19% operates a solenoid valve (not shown) which controls the air cylinder 14; The air cylinder 148 therefore is operated to move the dial support 14% toward the back of the machine. When the dial support 14% moves to the hack of the machine, the jigs 166 which are located on the jig support bar 164 are engaged .by .the V blocks 178 and held against the jig guide bar 168. Since the position of the V blocks 173 correspond to the positions of the quills 62, 64 and 66 when the beam 170 is disposed at the left side of the machine, the jigs will'be indexed into registry with the quills.

The locking pin 13% engages a hole in'the bar 164 and posed at loading stations immediately below the quills of quill assemblies 62, 64 and 66. The dials 116, 118 and 129 are shifted toward the back of the machine so that the jigs at the loading stations are exposed to the quills for receiving the parts held on the quills.

The anode, cathode and grid parts 42, so and 38 are successively inserted into each jig as the jigs are moved along the support bar 164. The operation of the quills is inserting parts into the jig is illustrated in FIG. 7 of the drawings wherein the quill 64 is shown while it is being operated to deposit a grid as and its associated flange 46 into one of the jigs 166.

The jig 156 may be made of a metal such as Nichrome, or of a ceramic such as alumina. As shown in FIG. 7, the jig includes a cylinder outer wall 196 closed at one end by a bottom portion 193. To facilitate heat transfer to the parts when heating the assembly for brazing, portions of the wall 195 may be cut away. A sleeve 20!) is received within the jig to provide a shoulder 200. Two concentric and relatively thin cylinders 202 and 2% project upwardly from the bottom portion 198. These cylinders are spaced for receiving the tubular grid 40 and the tubular anode 42 therebetween and in spaced relation as shown in H6. 7. The outer cylinder 202 is slightly shorter than the anode 42 and has an inside diameter approximately equal to the outside diameter of the anode so that the anode snugly fits therein. The inner cylinder 2% and the outer cylinder 202 are of substantially equal length. The outside diameter of the inner cylinder 2M- is approximately equal to the inside diameter of the grid electrode 40 so that the grid 40 will be snugly engaged thereon. The shoulder 206 of the jig is adapted to receive the wafer 14 in a later stage of assembly of the tube. The cathode support sleeve 38 will be received on the inside diameter of the inner cylinder 204.

In the illustrated case, the anode 42 and its flange 48; the grid 4-0 and its flange 45; and the cathode support sleeve 38 and its flange 44 are assembled in concentric relation with respect to the jig cylinders 2% and 202. The electrode parts and their associated flanges are assembled together. However, the machine provided by the invention may also be used for assembling the cylindrical electrodes separately from their flanges. In the event that the cylindrical electrodes are assembled separately, the order in which these electrodes are deposited into the jig is not material. However, because of the differences in diameters of the flanges 44, 46, and 48, the anode 42 and its flange 48 are deposited first in the jig 166. The anode and its flange are adapted to be deposited to the left on the machine by the quill assembly 62. The grid 4i) and its flange 46 are then deposited into the jig with the centrally disposed quill assembly 64. Finally, the cathode and its flange are deposited into the jig using the quill assembly 66 at the right side of the machine.

In depositing, for example, the grid 40 and 'its flange 46 into the jig, the operator moves the knurled sleeve 88 downwardly. Spring maintains the holder 74and stripper 78 in their relative positions shown in FIG. 5 so that both move downwardly in contact with each other with the quill '72 until the electrode parts enter the jig 166. The small diameter tip 100 of the quill 72 first enters the inner cylinder 204 of the jig. The jig is free to move slightly in the V block so that the tip may locate the jig in precise registry with the quill and with the electrode parts carried by the quill. Only the tip portion 100 of the quill enters the jig. The downward movement of the quill is limited by the stop 90 (shown in FIG. 5) so that only the tip 1% of the rod 72 enters the inner cylinder of the jig.

The extent of downward travel of the stripping as sembly 76 is not limited by the stop. This is because sleeve 88 can move relative to quill holder 74, pin 112 riding in slot 114. Accordingly, the stripper collar '78 continues its downward movement into engagement with the flange 46 and strips the flange from the tapered portion 104 into the jig. The stripper collar '78 stops when the stripper actuator bar 851 contacts the magnets 8t) in the strut 68. The magnets 86 in the strut and the magnets 84 in the bar 86 are attracted to and hold each other. Since the bar 8t) and the stripper collar 78 of the stripper assembly 76 are coupled between rods 82, the stripper collar 7 8 remains in the position shown in FIG. 7 so long as the magnets 84 and 86 engage each other. Thus, as the sleeve 88 is permitted to move upwardly under the bias of the spring 96, the collar 78 and the stripper actuator bar 86 of the stripper assembly remain in place.

As the sleeve 88 moves upwardly, the pin 112 will engage the top end of the slot 114 and start moving the holder 74 and quill '72 upwardly thereby compressing the spring 116. When the spring 11% is fully compressed, it will exert force on the lower part of the stripper actuator bar 80 sufiicient to separate the magnets 84 and 86. The quill is clear of the parts at the time that the magnets release each other. Finally, the quill assembly then resumes its initial position as shown in FIG. 2 of the drawings.

An anode 42 and its flange and a cathode support sleeve 33 and its flange 44 are inserted and deposited into different jigs 166 disposed at loading stations on the bar 164 below the quill assemblies 62 and 66, respectively, in operations similar to the operations described for insertion and depositin of the grid 40 and its flange 46 in connection with FIG. 7.

After the respective anode, grid and cathode parts are inserted in three jigs disposed at the three loading stations, the lever 186 is pushed inwardly toward the machine to release the pin 18% from the bar 164 (FIG. 3). The beam 170 is then urged in a side-wise direction toward the right. The beam 170 and the V blocks 1'78 carried thereon are shifted to the right to the position shown in full in FIGS. 2 and 3 of the drawings. The extension 184 on the left side of the V blocks engages the jigs 166 and shifts the jigs along the jig support bar 164 to suecessive loading stations. Thus, the jig disposed at the anode loading station will be shifted to the grid loading station. The jig disposed in the grid loading station will be shifted to the cathode support sleeve loading station. The jig at the cathode support sleeve loading station has received all three electrode parts and their associate flanges therein. Thus, the jig previously positioned at the cathode support sleeve loading station will be removed from the machine for further processing. Jigs which have been positioned at the anode and grid loading stations will be shifted respectively to the grid and cathode support sleeve loading stations so that the grids and cathodes may be assembled therein. A new jig is placed at the anode loading station.

When beam 170 is shifted to the right, a bumper therein engages one of the switches 199 (shown in FIG. 4) which controls the solenoid valve operating the air cylinder 148. The air cylinder 148 is then actuated and shifts the dials 116, 118 and 120 into position under the quills. As pointed out above, the dials 116, 118 and 120 are rotated simultaneously as they are reciprocated from the back to the front of the machine so that successive ones of the Wells 122 in each of thedials 116, 118, and 120 are positioned at transfer stations below their respective quills 62, 64 and 645. The quills are operative to transfer parts from the dials to the jigs as the operations set forth above are repeated.

The quill may incorporate different pick up members provided in accordance with different embodiments of the invention. These different pick up members are illustrated in FIGS. 9, l0 and 11 of the drawings. The pick up members have a parts locating and guiding tip and a parts engaging portion in common.

' FIG. 6).

FIG. 9 shows a tubular electrode 208 and its flange 210 engaged on a quill 212. The quill 212 includes a parts locating and guiding tip 213 similar to the tip described in connection with FIGS. 6 and 7, and a parts engaging portion 214 extending away from the tip. This parts engaging portion is a cylinder of uniform diameter somewhat smaller than the inside diameter of the electrode 208. An annular recess 216 is formed in the surface of the engaging portion 214. A Y shaped orifice 217 communicates with the recess. The orifice may be connected by suitable air lines to a Vacuum source through avalve".

In operation, the quill 212 is inserted into the electrode 208, as for example was the case for the quill '72 (see The valve is then operated to connect the vacuum source to the orifice 217 so that the electrode 2&8 and its flange 210 will be engaged and held against the portion 214 of the rod 212 by air pressure.

A quill 22th is shown in FIG. 10 also having a locating and guiding tip 222 and a cylindrical portion of uniform diameter 224 extending from the tip 222. A body 226 which may by cylindrical in shape forms part of the pick up means 22%. An electrode 228 and its flange 236) may be inserted on the cylindrical portion 224 in the manner previously described so that the rim 232 of the flange 230 abuts against the shoulder formed by the body 226 and the portion 224. A plurality of orifices 234 extend between the shoulder of the body 226 and the upper end thereof. These orifices couple the area defined between the flange 236i, the portion 224- at the shoulder and a vacuum source (not shown). A vacuum may be formed at the orifices 234 to hold the flange against the shoulder by air pressure.

What is claimed is:

1. Apparatus for assembling tube parts into jigs which comprises a support, means for moving said support mechanism for feeding parts to a parts transfer station, said mechanism being mounted for movement with said support, means for holding said jigs also mounted for movement with said support to a jig loading station, part transfer means for transferring said parts between said mechanism and said support mounted for movement between said mechanism and said jigs, and means for moving said support and transfer means with respect to each other between said transfer and loading stations to bring said transfer means alternately into position to pick up parts from said mechanism and deposit parts into said jig.

2. Apparatus for assembling electron tube parts in an assembling fixture which comprises a quill for transferring a tube part into said assembling fixture and mounted on a first support, a support movable with respect to said quill, means mounted on said movable support for carrying a plurality of said electron tube parts, means on said first support for carrying a plurality of said assembling fixtures, means for moving said movable support transversely of said quill whereby said quill may be moved alternately to a first position for picking up said parts from said support and to a second position for depositing said parts into one of said assembling fixtures, and a carriage mounted on said movable support for moving different ones of said plurality of assembling fixtures successively into and out of said second position.

3. In apparatus for assembling tube parts, the combination which comprises a plurality of dials each carrying a plurality of tube parts at spaced positions along the periphery thereof, a plurality of assembly stations, there being a one to one correspondence of assembly stations to dials, a plurality of parts transfer devices each for transferring said parts from a different one of said dials to its associated assembly stations, means for simultaneously rotating said dials to advance different ones of said parts carried by each of said dials into position to be transferred by one of said plurality of transfer devices,

and means for simultaneously moving said dials in a direction perpendicular to their axes of rotation.

4. In apparatus for assembling tube parts into assembling jigs, a plurality of dials each carrying different ones of said parts at spaced positions thereon, a plurality of transfer mechanisms for transferring parts from said dials into said jigs, means for supporting said jigs adjacent different ones of said dials in registry with certain ones of said mechanisms, means for shifting said jigs to certain other ones of said mechanisms, means for ro tating said dials operated by said shifting means to advance successively positioned ones of said parts into registry with said transfer mechanism, and means for simultaneously moving said dials in a direction perpendicular to their axes of rotation.

5. In apparatus for assembling cathode, grid and anode electrode parts of an electron tube in an assembly fixture, the combination which comprises a plurality of dials, different ones of which carry said cathode, grid and anode parts at spaced positions thereon, a plurality of parts transfer mechanisms each for transferring a different one of said cathode, grid and anode parts from said dials to said assembling fixture, means for shifting different ones of a plurality of said assembling fixtures successively in registry with different ones of said transfer mechanisms, means operated by said shifting means for rotating said dials to successively position different ones of said parts carried by each of said dials into registry with said transfer mechanisms whereby said transfer mechanisms are operative to transfer parts from their dials disposed in registry therewith to said assembling fixtures disposed in registry therewith, and means for simultaneously moving said dials in a direction perpendicular to their axes of rotation.

6. Apparatus for assembling tube parts into jigs comprising a parts transfer means mounted for motion back and forth along a predetermined path, an assembly station positioned along said path of motion, a dial rotatable about an axis, said dial having wells angularly arranged in a surface thereof for receiving tube parts, means for shifting said rotatable dial transversely of said path and of said axis, whereby in one position of said rotatable dial a portion thereof intersects said path and in another position of said dial it clears said path, and means for moving said jigs individually to said assembly station and substantially in said path,

7. Apparatus for assembling tube parts into jigs comprising a parts transfer means mounted for motion back and forth along a predetermined path, an assembly station positioned along said path of motion, a dial, means for rotating said dial about an axis, said dial having wells angularly arranged in a surface thereof for receiving tube parts, means for shifting said rotatable dial transversely of said path and of said axis, whereby in one position of said rotatable dial a portion thereof intersects said path and in another position of said dial it clears said path, means for moving said jigs individually to said assembly station and substantially in said path and means for clamping said jigs at said assembly station while said dials are in said another position.

8. Apparatus for assembling tube parts into a plurality of jigs comprising a plurality of parts transfer means parallelly mounted for motion along predetermined individual paths, a plurality of assembly stations, one of said assembly stations being positioned along each of said paths, a plurality of dials, means for rotating each of said dials about its individual axis, said dials having wells angularly arranged in a surface thereof for receiving tube parts, means for shifting each of said rotatable dials transversely of a different one of said paths and transversely of its individual axis, whereby in one position of said rotatable dials they intersect one of said paths and in another position of said rotatable dials they clear all of said paths, means for moving a jig successively from one assembly station to another and for holding a jig at an assembly station, said jig moving and holding means comprising a notched means for moving a plurality of jigs from one assembly station to another, and means for moving said notched means in a path of said jigs transverse to the direction between said assembly stations.

9. The apparatus as claimed in claim 8 and including means for actuating said dial shifting means, and means for actuating said notched means back and forth in said transverse direction in response to moving said notched means between its extreme positions in the path of the jigs between said assembly stations.

10. In apparatus for assembling electron tube parts into separate and independent jigs, the combination which comprises means for transferring a part from a parts station to an assembly station, means for feeding said parts individually to said parts station, means for feeding a plurality of said jigs individually to said assembly station, said jig feeding means including a plurality of V-blocks fixed to a sliding beam and a back-up member cooperating with said blocks for confining said jigs between said blocks and said back-up member, the space defined between said locks and said back-up member being slightly greater than the size of said jigs permitting slight movement of said jigs when confined, means for operating said parts feeding means and said jig feeding means so that a jig is fed into said assembly station while a part is fed into said parts station, and said transferring means including means for accurately locating said confined jigs with respect to said assembly station.

11. Apparatus for. assembling electron tube parts in assembling fixtures, a plurality of dials, means for rotating each of said dials about its own axis, means for moving each of said dials in a direction transverse to its axis to a parts transfer position, said dials each carrying different ones of said tube parts at spaced positions thereon, a plurality of transfer devices, each of said transfer devices being associated with a different one of said dials, and means for shifting a plurality of assembling fixtures to positions adjacent to and in one to one correspondence of said fixtures with said dials.

12. In apparatus for assembling electron tube parts into assembling jigs, the combination which comprises a plurality of dials each carrying different ones of said parts at spaced positions thereon, means for rotating said dials, a plurality of quills spaced laterally from each other, means for moving said quills in straight-line paths for transferring parts from said dials, different ones of said quills being cooperatively associated with different ones of said dials, means for moving said dials transversely of the axes of rotation thereof and transversely of said paths between positions where a portion of each of said dials are in said paths and a position where each of said dials clear said paths, means for supporting said assembly jigs individually adjacent different ones of said dials in positions to cooperate with the quills associated with said different dials, and means for simultaneously shifting said jigs laterally to positions adjacent dilferent successive ones of said dials whereby different parts may be transferred successively from said dials into said jigs by said quills.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 302,884 Brady Aug. 5, 1884 2,363,635 Blair Nov. 28, 1944 2,423,038 Merwin June 24, 1947 2,813,374 Bouwman Nov. 19, 1957 2,855,737 Chase Oct. 14, 1958 2,884,684 Wollte May 5, 1959 2,911,114 Gartner Nov. 3, 1959 2,927,333 Stern Mar. 8, 1960 2,929,131 McClosltey Mar. 22, 1960 2,932,877 Pakish et al Apr. 19, 1960 

1. APPARATUS FOR ASSEMBLING TUBE PARTS INTO JIGS WHICH COMPRISES A SUPPORT, MEANS FOR MOVING SAID SUPPORT MECHANISM FOR FEEDING PARTS TO A PARTS TRANSFER STATION, SAID MECHANISM BEING MOUNTED FOR MOVEMENT WITH SAID SUPPORT, MEANS FOR HOLDING SAID JIGS ALSO MOUNTED FOR MOVEMENT WITH SAID SUPPORT TO A JIG LOADING STATION, PART TRANSFER MEANS FOR TRANSFERRING SAID PARTS BETWEEN SAID MECHANISM AND SAID SUPPORT MOUNTED FOR MOVEMENT BETWEEN SAID MECHANISM AND SAID JIGS, AND MEANS FOR 